Perforate package structure



Nov. 29, 1938. L. SALFISBERG PERFORATE PACKAGE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 21,1936 INVENTOR. cggwv a8. safiia efi BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 29, 1938 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERFORATE PACKAGESTRUCTURE Application August 21, 1936, Serial No. 97,107

Claims. (01. 99-771) This invention pertains in general to packagingstructures and specifically relates to a package having a perforate wallstructure.

Heretofore in the art, tea leaves and like com- 5 modities adapted to beimmersed for infusion have been packaged in porous and water-perviousstructures such as loosely-knit bags and the like. The present inventiondeals with a container for such commodities formed of sheet packagingmaterial in a rapid fabrication process. The packaging material iscomposed of a chemically inert and tasteless water-insoluble substancecoated with a thermo-plastic material which will fuse within certainsealing temperature ranges, but which will not fuse in the temperaturerange of boiling water in which the container is adapted to be used.

Since the material of such a package unit 1s insoluble, it is necessaryto provide openings for permitting the infusion of the liquid in whichthe container is immersed. Ordinary punchings for such a packagestructure introduce various difiiculties such as small particles of thematerial which, in the packaging operation, may mix with the containedcommodity and become objectionable to the user. The principal object ofthe present invention consists in providing a perforate packagestructure with openings which, in the perforating operation, do notpermit stray portions of the package to accumulate in the containedcommodity.-

Another object comprises providing a package structure having amultiplicity of perforation flaps attached to the package structure.

3 In the drawing accompanying this specification in which like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a view of one embodiment of the perforate package structure ofthe invention;

40 and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the package structure takenalong the line 22 of Fig. l.'

According to the drawing in detail, opposed layers of the packagingmaterial I and 2 are 45 joined together in an encircling sealing flange5 forming a centrally disposed commodity containing envelope receptacle3. The flange 5 extends entirely around the envelope 3. In the area 01'this encircling flange the layers 1 and 2 are interdigitated bycrimping. Further, the layers of thermo-plastically coated material 3and 4, facing each other, are fused intermediate the layers 1 and 2 inthe flange areas.

In accordance with the invention, each of the side walls of the envelope3 is cut off on two sides of a triangle in a multiplicity of places toform a plurality of triangular openings 6. The

sides of the triangular openings which are not cut out form flaps 1integral with the wall of the envelope.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, these flaps are foldedover, as will be seen in 5 Fig. 2, so that they contact the inside ofthe layers l and 2 forming walls of the envelope 3. In the constructionof the package, a heated ironing implement is pressed over the innersurface of the layers to cause these flaps to adhere 10 to the layers land 2 by reason of fusion of the thermo-plastic coating.

Although a preferred embodiment of the perforate bag structure has beendisclosed, it will be understood that various changes and equivalent 15structures can be produced without departing from the intended scope ofthe invention. Therefore, no limitation other than described by theappended claims is intended.

What is claimed as new and original, to be 20 secured by Letters Patentof the United States is:

l. A package structure for commodities such as tea leaves and the likecomprising an envelope structure formed of opposed layers of packagingmaterial joined together by the fusion of an intermediately disposedthermo-plastic material, and having a multiplicity of flap openings topermit the infusion of a liquid such as water to intermingle with thecontained commodity.

2. A package for commodities such as tea and the like comprising,opposed layers of packaging material of a substantially inert characterwhen in boiling water, joined together in an encircling flange to form acentrally disposed commodity containing envelope, said layers beingcrimped together in said flange areas and sealed by the fusion ofthermo-plastic material, the walls of said envelope structure beingprovided with a multiplicity of flap openings for permitting theintroduction of a liquid, such as water, into said envelope to mix withthe contained commodity.

3. The package in accordance with claim 2 in which said flaps extendinternally of said envelope and have the surfaces thereof attached tothe inside of said envelope by said fused thermo-plastic material.

4. A package structure for commodities comprising, walls of heatscalable material joined together in a heat seal in restricted areas toform a container, said container having openings therein of cut-outareas of said wall structure heat sealed to the wall structure.

5. A package structure comprising a container including a wall of heatscalable material having perforation flaps folded back and heat sealedto the wall by virtue of the thermo-plastic coating.

LEROY L. SALFISBERG.

